Never underestimate your own strength.
You were born for a purpose and are blessed with the power to achieve it.
Sharp Objects
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Needles on Cactus -
Loving the Sunset
Saturday’s Sunset This is the view from my parents front porch in Gold Canyon, Arizona. They enjoy their home and I can see why.
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My Walk to Coffee
Red Bird of Paradise 
Yellow Blossom on a Prickly Pear Cactus 
Great Blue Heron Its about a half mile walk from the house to the little cafe at the recreation center where I can sit among fountains in cushioned chairs, sip on a mocha and write. Here are three from the walk.
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An Unknown Cacti
An Unknown Cacti Wikipedia says there are about 1,500 to 1,800 species of cacti. They may be right. I am amazed at the variety of them I find while walking in my parents neighborhood. And, the shapes and colors are astounding. Even though this is not a big blooming time for them there are some with blossoms on them. My dad and I searched for identification of this cacti but we were not able to identify it. So, it’s just a cactus with a pretty flower.
I have been enjoying my time with my parents. Seems my pants are tighter around the waist. Shrinkage is either due to the dry climate down here or my mothers baking. Yesterday she baked cookies. I ate more than my share as I do not want to hurt her feelings. I head home on Saturday to face the cold again but also want to be home.
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Jumping Cholla Cactus It seems that in a world of complaining it is nice for us to sit down and reflect on that we can be thankful for. Traveling, the health to travel, visiting family, good food, are some things I’m grateful for. The real task is to carry this gratitude into the full year. I hope everyone had a wonderful day of Thanksgiving.
Palm Tree Leaves -
Saguaro
Saguaro A saguaro in contrast to a blue sky. It is also in contrast to our weather here in Colorado. We are in our 4th or 5th day of rains, gentle rains. Ponds and rivers are full and muddy. The ground is soaked and feels like you’re walking on a sponge. It is cold with temperatures dropping down to freezing tonight which means we have the potential for snow. Weather man says 1-3 inches of snow by tomorrow. Stay warm!
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Heading North
Cholla and Starburst “We must make the choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves.”
Thomas MertonI’m heading north for Colorado and home. Will drive through Arches National Park on the way and scout things out. Maybe we can have a meet-up there.
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I’m Still Here
Sunrise on Peralta Trail “What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
― A.A. MilneI decided to stay one more day and head back tomorrow. So this morning I headed out to meet the rising sun and was greeted by a choir of birds and one lone howling coyote.
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Morning Sun
Backlit Cactus At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands before our camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are. We never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect–a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is part of the biography by which we want to be known.
Robert AdamsEarly one morning my dad and I waited to see if the covey of quail would make an appearance and scamper across his back yard. Well, they did not show up but I did get a photo of the cactus back lit by the morning sun. This is one of my favorite times of the day.
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A Bit of Pink
Just Before Sunrise This mornings sunrise was completely different than the day before. Clouds filled the sky and the stars were not to be seen. I arrived at a new location and was greeted with the same quiet as the previous morning. The quiet is amazing to experience, especially for us city dwellers. But before I knew it the desert awoke with the songs of cactus wrens breaking that silence. I would not see the sun rise over the horizon on this morning. Yet, nature gave me a small bit of pink to enjoy.
I should be picking up Paul Lester today and taking him up to Mount Evans, 14,000 feet. This way he can look to the east and see all of Nebraska he just drove through. We hope to meet up with John Strong for a bite to eat sometime in the afternoon or evening.
